Phonograph reproducer



June 19, 1923. 1,459,605

A. w. SCHREINER PHONOGRAPH REPRODUCER Original Filed March 2 1921 2Sheets-Sheet 1 June 19, 1923. 1,459,605

A. w. SCHREINER I PHONOGRAPH REPRODUCER Original Filed March 2. 1921 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented June 19, 1923.

ARTHUR SCI-IREINER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

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Application filed March 2, 1921, Serial No. 449,256. Renewed May 17,1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR W. SoHnnI- NER, a citizen of the UnitedStates of America, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings andState of New York, have invented certain useful Improvements in.Phonograph Reproducers of which the fol.-

lowing is a specification.

My invention relates to a phonograph reproducer primarily designed toimprove the tone color and fullness of note so greatly desired in thisclass of instrument.

I have found that very remarkable improvements can be made in theclearness and volume of music played from ordinary phonograph recordswhether they be old or new, and regardless of whether they be orchestralvocal, band, or simple instrumental pieces. Particular improvement canbe noticed in the reproduction of notes from the piano.

In particular, I have discovered that the method of supporting theneedle is of the utmost importance, and that it must be so supported tobe movable in every direction so as to give every slight indentation onthe record opportunity to operate the diaphra'gm. I

Furthermore I have discovered that the volume of the reproduction may begreatly increased by using both sides of the diaphragm. To this end Ihave devised novel means of valving the air pulsations from thediaphragm so as to effect a continuous flow of waves forward through thephonograph horn or emitting tube. This also produces a most clear soundfree from the usual stiffness and apparent incompleteness of note. Iattribute this quality largely to the straight forward flow of the soundwaves resulting from my valving arrangement. and the use of both sidesofthe diaphragm. This feature as well as many other of the importantpoints will be better understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing my reproducer in use on aphonograph, which may be of any standard design or make.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the reproducer partly shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows the detail construction of the needle suppprt.

Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views showing the valving action of thereproducer.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout thedrawings.

A record 1 is revolved in the usual manner on any type of phonograph 2causing. the vibration of the needle 3, incontact with the impressionsof the record 1 The needle is held in the socket clamp 4 by a thumbscrew 5. A finger 6 forms a continuation of the clamp 4 and isattachedat its extremity to the diaphragm 7 by means of a screw and an adhesivewax in the usual manner. Integrally formed with the finger 6 and theclamp 4: is a flange bar 8, and the center of this bar has a smalldepression 8 to receive the support pin 9 which is rigidly'set in thecasing 10. In order to hold the needle 8 and the clamp 1, with its parts6 and 8 in position against the pin 9, two screws 11 are fastened intothe casing with their bodies passing freely through slip holes in theflange 8. Two helical compression springs 12 inserted between the flange8 and the heads of the screws 11 press the flange against the pin 9 andthereby set theneedle in a universal manner free to move in anydirection. The common method of mounting the needle on knife edgespermits movement in only one direction and prevents the needle fromfreely responding to any vibrations 0n the record except those in theone plane of needle' motion. The casing 10 houses the diaphragm 7 andonone side 10 is closed so as to direct the sound waves through a port 13and thence into a tube 14: which connects to'thecommon tube 15. Thetube'is joined to the casing by the flange '1 P, which is held inposition under the tension ,of two springs 16 guided by screws 17 Thediaphragm is set in the casing between rubber gaskets 18 and in theusual manner. In the ordinary construction the other side of thediaphragm is left open, but I have devised the auxiL iary valvingdiaphragm 19, which is set in front of the principal diaphragm 7 and isvibrated by air pulsations from it. In order that this auxiliarydiaphragm may transmit the sound waves thrown toward it by the principaldiaphragm and yet not follow the principal diaphragm upon its return tothe opposite side, a perforated wall 20 is disposed between theprincipal and auxiliary diaphragms and acts as a check to the auxiliarydiaphragm, permitting the movement in only one direction. The auxiliarydiaphragm is mounted in a casing 21 which houses its outer side. Acentral port 21 in the rear wall of the casing leads to the tube 23which in turn carries the sound into the commontube 15. The tube 15leads into the tone-arm 24, which may be of any standard design. Thesound waves then pass into the horn25 and-are distributed. in order toemit a small amount of the sound produced by the diaphragm direct fromthe reproducer, the plate 20 is flared at its edge and also an annularset of ports 26 are cut in the casing '21 around the auxiliarydiaphragm. 19. I find that this sound emission directfrom the reproducergives a most desirable effect in the reduction 'of harshness andscratch. Likewise the support of the reproducer casing 10, by springs 16and 17 to flange 14? is important in the reduction of-harshness andneedle scratch.

The operation may be shown to advantage by reference to the diagrammaticFigures 5 and 6. The record isput in motion and the impressions thereonvibrate the needle, which is somounted on a universal pivot pin that itresponds to every slight wave in a'lateralzrecord and transmits thisvibration through the arm'G' to the princip'al diaphragm 7. Thisdiaphragm is free to moveina forward and reverse direction. InFig. 5- itis shown deflected in its forward direction, whereupon a pulsation issent through the tube 14: and into the discharge ilOI'l'L' The movementofthe diaphragm 7 forward as shown in Fig. 5, causes .a rarefaction inthe space between the diaphragm 7 and19and a condensation Within thetube 14. Plate 20 prevents the diaphragm 19- being pushed in the samedirection-by the atmospheric, air in tube 23. The ports 26 short circuitthe unequal pressure condition in tube 23, permitting an intake orexhaust as required to meet varying compressions in tube 14 and thedischarge horn. Movement of the diaphragm 7 in the reverse directioncauses an air compression in the space ,between diaphragm 7 anddiaphragm 19,

which pressure is exerted through the perforated wall 20' against thediaphragm 19. The movement of diaphragm 19 in this reverse directioncauses a compression in tube 23 which partly passes up to thecommonphragms are small. in amplitudebut in the last analysis do n morethan create ,condensations and rarefactions-in the leading tubes, and ifmore than. this. air or gas vibration isset up, the diaphragmsare notfunctioning. properly and the energy is being wasted.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1s,

1. In a phonograph reproducer, a mechanically actuated diaphragm, aconductmg tube disposed. on one side of .andhousing that side of thesaid diaphragm, a supplementary conducting tube positioned opposite thesaid diaphiragm, a perforated plate in the end of the said tube andavalving diaphragm free to move away from the said plateresponsive to theoutward'movements f the principal diaphragm, substantially as described.i

2.111 a phonograph reproducer, ,a mechanically actuated diaphragm, aconducting tube disposed on one side of andhousing that side of the saiddiaphragm, a supplementary conducting tube positioned opposite thediaphragm, a perforated plate in the end of the said tube and-a valvingdiaphragm'free t move away from the said plate responsive to the outwardmovements of the principal diaphragm, and portsin the conducting tube atthe inner side of the auxiliary diaphragm, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

' ARTHUR YV. 'SCHREINER.

VVitness:

JOHN J D; TAYLOR.

